Music Aid Northwest and the Washington Music Educators Association award Sacajawea Middle School with a $4,000 grant

We would like to thank Music Aid Northwest and the Washington Music Educators Association for awarding Sacajawea Middle School with a $4,000 Music Matters Grant!

Sacajawea’s band program has grown from 66 to 84 participants over the past year. This grant money supports the purchase of new brass instruments.

We would like to recognize Robin Blumenthal, Valley Regional President of the Washington Music Educators Association who presented a check of $4,000 to support our scholar-musicians.

As part of this grant, Sacajawea Middle School commits to contributing $400 which means a total of $4,400 toward the school’s band program!

Their support will help our scholars become more proficient in our strategic plan Goal 4, content area competence. Thank you!

 

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Thomas Jefferson High School students selected for the Museum of Flight's Washington Aerospace Scholars Program

Congratulations to Thomas Jefferson High School’s Zoie Noelle Aquino and Ketterra Johnson who were selected for the Museum of Flight’s Washington Aerospace Scholars Program!

This program will help them gain experience in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) pathways through the exploration of space, and space travel. It includes online college level courses and working with STEM professionals, National Aeronautics and Space Administration otherwise known as “NASA” scientists, university students, and STEM educators to plan a realistic space mission.

Opportunities like these help our scholars with our Goal 5 efforts, persistence to graduation through successful transitions. We are proud of you Zoie and Ketterra!

 

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154 Twin Lakes Elementary scholars had perfect attendance in the month of October

Twin Lakes Elementary School recently celebrated an exciting achievement. In October, 154 scholars had perfect attendance!

These scholars were in class, on time, every day, ready to learn. They all received perfect attendance certificates, a t-shirt and were recognized during a monthly Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports assembly.

We would like to recognize the scholars who are representing the group who had perfect attendance in October. Thank you to Twin Lakes for supporting our strategic plan Goal 2 whole child efforts and making strong attendance a priority at your school.

 

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Federal Way High School's head football coach selected as the North Puget Sound League 4A Football Head Coach of the Year

Congratulations to John Meagher, Federal Way High School’s head football coach for being selected by his fellow coaches as the North Puget Sound League 4A Football Head Coach of the Year!

John has served 23 years as the Federal Way High School Head football coach. His leadership helped the team secure the North Puget Sound League Valley Division Championship this season. He finishes with a career record of 123-94.

John, thanks for supporting over 100 scholar-athletes each season to be active learners, engaged, empowered critical thinkers — Goal 3 of our strategic plan. We are proud of you for gaining the respect of fellow coaches in the North Puget Sound League as a football coach. Way to go! 

 

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FWPS scholars place in Federal Way Invitational Speech and Debate tournament

Federal Way High School recently hosted the Federal Way Invitational Speech and Debate tournament — which has been around nearly 40 years. Our scholars competed against 70 students from 9 schools from across the region. Federal Way Public Schools was represented by students from TAF@Saghalie, Todd Beamer, Thomas Jefferson, and Federal Way high schools.

These engaged, empowered, critical thinkers took first place in the following categories:

• Amy Ojeaburu, oratory
• Mary Wood, dramatic interpretation
• Carlos Santana, humorous interpretation
• Allen Benjamin Tugade, program oral interpretation
• Cade Homfeldt, impromptu
• Mantak Singh, extemporaneous speaking
• Genevieve Tobin and Madalyn Crane, duo interpretation
• Brooke Meadows, informative
• Haley Storms, novice extemporaneous speaking
• Shaaniya Mahabir, novice informative
• Anika Sharma, novice oratory

We would also like to recognize the speech coaches who helped put on the tournament: Isaiah Parker and Meykia Smith from Thomas Jefferson High School and Paul Sealey from Federal Way High School. Congratulations speech-scholars and coaches — we are proud of you! 

FWPS scholars participated in WE Scare Hunger and collected over 5,322 pounds of food donations

For the eighth consecutive year, Federal Way Public Schools students participated in the WE Scare Hunger event to stamp out hunger. These scholars are engaged, empowered critical thinkers — goal 3 of our strategic plan!

We would like to recognize the student leaders who helped organize these efforts:

• Tyrasia Haeup-Woolfolk
• John Gachoka
• Ainsley Yoshizumi
• Kobe Taylor
• Alex Bradshaw
• Fatima Lopez-Camacho
• Jillian Chong
• Naima Fowler
• Jinsu Ha
• Moses Smith
• Azaan Brown
• Danya Vargas
• Shantall Medina-Ayala
• Asiah-Leigh Torres

Students hosted a Trunk or Treat event for elementary school scholars and collected 5,322 pounds of food that will be donated to the Federal Way Multi-Service Center. More than 300 scholars and families came by and participated in this student-led event that is making a difference in our community. Way to go!

 

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TAF@Saghalie scholars take first place at National Urban League Project Ready Case Competition

Congratulations to our TAF@Saghalie scholars who took first place in the National Urban League Project Ready Case Competition!

The challenge was to solve an issue of inequity in kindergarten through 12th grade education. TAF@Saghalie’s project “First-In-Line” addressed barriers to success for first generation college students.

We would like to recognize the schoalars who participated in the competition:

• Thaddeaus Dezeeuw
• Karina Soltero
• Nalani Hall
• Erick Madrigal

These students presented in front of over 300 students and a panel of judges from leaders in the education and corporate fields. We are proud of you, scholars for being engaged, empowered, critical thinkers — goal 3 of our strategic plan! Way to go!

 

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South King Fire and Rescue distributed 160 coats to kindergarteners and first graders at Rainier View Elementary

South King Fire & Rescue has been a pivotal partner in keeping our students warm.

As part of Operation Warm, they distributed 160 coats to kindergarteners and first graders at Rainier View Elementary School this year! Students also got a chance to meet Sparky the fire dog and check out a fire truck.

We would like to recognize Lieutenant Brad Chaney from South King Fire & Rescue.

Schools can’t do it alone, and we appreciate your support to keep our scholars warm and ready to learn at school. This helps them thrive and be confident responsible individuals, part of our strategic plan goal 2 efforts. Thank you!

 

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Todd Beamer High School scholar wins first place at the USA Power Lifting Raw Nationals

Congratulations, to Todd Beamer High School’s Jillian Whiting who competed at the USA Power Lifting Raw Nationals in Chicago, Illinois and won first place!

She is now ranked number one in the nation for the teen division. We would like to recognize Jillian. 

Jillian, you are an engaged, empowered scholar-athlete. We are proud of your dedication to extracurricular activities – goal 3 of our strategic plan!

 

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Federal Way Public Schools named a National Board Accomplished District

Federal Way Public Schools is one of 81 school districts from across the country named as a National Board Accomplished District!

The district is recognized for having at least 20% of our teachers achieving National Board certification. Known as the “gold standard,” this certification advances the quality of teaching and learning by maintaining high and rigorous standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. Most importantly, students in the classrooms with a Nation Board Certified Teacher have accelerated growth and higher levels of academic proficiency. To commemorate this achievement, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has presented the district with a plaque.

We are proud to support teachers becoming National Board certified and are committed to having the best possible teachers in front of our scholars!

Scholars participate in the Washington State Fair arts show

Congratulations to our scholars for participating in the arts show at the Washington State Fair. These scholars demonstrate strengths in academics and the arts, which supports strategic plan goal 3 — active learners, engaged, empowered, critical thinkers.

For the category of graphic design:

• 1st place: David Cox and Nathan Warren. Nathan also received best in show for the digital art titled “Spiderman”
• 2nd place: Ashlynn Jones, Rachel Kimura, Maxim Knot, Rosa Basler and Henry Youngjohn
• 3rd place: Emma McCann, Hyun Rho, Jamal Afshar

For the category of visual communications:

• 1st place: Astrid Anderson, Catalina Ramos DeLa Flor, Alexia Mattos, Ella Wagner and Veronica Black. Veronica also won best in show for digital art titled “Shattered Reality"
• 2nd place: Mohammed Mahmoud, Marisa Dawson, Hyun Rho, Damaris Unat, Zoe Von-Minden, Grace Tangonan and Elizabeth Ouk
• 3rd place: Erik Sanchez-Contreras, Sasha McGraw and Mareana Den

For the category of photography:

• 1st place: Alishan Gognadze. Alishan also received Best in Show for his photo "Marina"
• 2nd place: Mohammed Mahmoud and Brenda Mora
• 3rd place: Jasmin Flores-Montoya, Chris Kibari, Alondra Pino de la O and Ashlynn Sterling

Congratulations scholars, we are proud of you!

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230 Sunnycrest Elementary scholars had perfect attendance in the month of September

Sunnycrest Elementary School recently celebrated an exciting achievement. In September, 230 scholars had perfect attendance! This means these scholars were in class, on time, every day, ready to learn. They all received a perfect attendance ribbon, and a chance to win pizza with the principal! There is a different colored ribbon for perfect attendance each month.

We would like to recognize the scholars who are representing the group who had perfect attendance in September.

Thank you to Sunnycrest for supporting our strategic plan goal 2 whole child efforts and making strong attendance a priority at your school.

 

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Lake Grove teacher receives award from SHAPE WA

Lake Grove Elementary teacher Dana Henry has been selected by the Washington’s Society of Health and Physical Educators for the 2019 Bob Melson Honor Award! This recognizes a physical education teacher who is a true leader and role model in the health and physical education profession.

Dana is the PE lead for Federal Way Public Schools and provides professional development and support for 23 elementary schools in the district. In addition, she regularly presents on best PE practices at conferences around the state.

Dana has worked to secure multiple grants for her school and the district to promote healthy habits. She implemented the “Let’s Move Active Schools” program at Lake Grove.

Thank you, for your commitment to keeping our scholars healthy and ensuring all students are thriving, confident, responsible individuals — goal two of our strategic plan.

 

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181 Lake Grove Elementary students had perfect attendance in the month of September

In the month of September, 181 Lake Grove Elementary Leopards had perfect attendance!

We would like to recognize the scholars who are representing all 181 students. 

Thank you, Lake Grove, for supporting strategic plan goal 2 whole child efforts by encouraging students to be in school, on time, ready to learn each day. Way to go, Leopards!

 

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Do The Right Thing's Paving the Way Program provides support to Running Start students

We are grateful for Do the Right Thing’s Paving the Way Program which supports our scholars’ college and career readiness.

We would like to recognize Cheryl Hurst, founder of Do the Right Thing.

During the 2018-19 school year Paving the Way provided $225 per month to six Federal Way Public Schools Running Start students to assist with expenses such as transportation, lunch, text books and supplies. Paving the Way is providing support again this school year.

Schools can’t do it alone, and we appreciate Do the Right Thing’s support of our strategic plan goal 5 persistence to graduation.

TJHS student earns Athlete of the Week Award

Congratulations to Thomas Jefferson High School’s Hailey Still who was recently recognized as Athlete of the Week by CenturyLink and the Seattle Seahawks! The recognition includes a $1,000 check for Thomas Jefferson athletics and tickets for Hailey and her family to attend a Seahawks game where she will be recognized.

We would also like to recognize Athletic Director Mike Grady and other administrators.

Each year 10 student athletes are selected for this recognition based off their commitment to academics, athletic achievement, and leadership both on and off the field.

As captain of the soccer team this season, Hailey is leading the team in scoring with 15 goals so far this season. She is a two- time Federal Way Mirror newspaper athlete of the year. Also, last season Hailey was nominated for first team all-league in soccer, basketball and fastpitch.

Hailey, as a scholar-athlete, you demonstrate how important it is be an active learner, engaged, empowered, critical thinker — goal 3 of our strategic plan!

 

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TJHS’ Math Team places among top ten in National Math Competition for 25^th consecutive year

The Thomas Jefferson High School math team placed ninth at the Annual Mu Alpha Theta National Math Contest! The weeklong event brought together the nation’s top 50 high school math teams to compete in a series of individual and group tests.

We would also like to recognize Math coach Tom Norris and administrators.

This year marks the 25th consecutive year Thomas Jefferson has placed among the top 10 schools in the nation. Also, Lorel Ramirez placed first and Mason King placed second in Gemini Theta, and Zach Botz placed third in Mental Math Open.

This legacy of excellence is in direct support of the district’s strategic plan goal 4, content area competence: mastery of all subjects.

Congratulations, we are so proud of you!

 

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Six FWPS scholars intern for highly-competitive Washington State Department of Ecology program

We are proud of our scholars who interned for the highly- competitive Washington State Department of Ecology Youth Corps program! In operation since 1975, this year the program hired 250 teens from across the state from an applicant pool of nearly 3,000. Our Federal Way Public Schools scholars claimed six of these spots. We would like to recognize: 

• Jaliyah McKay
• Eiler Wiggins
• Faith Chung
• Kiarah Fernandez
• Naialah Keys
• Jonah Mizrah

Teens take to the local major highways and freeways to clean-up the roadside environment. The program instills the importance of responsibility, independence, teamwork and self-sufficiency. This is a valuable skillset our scholars can use in school and future jobs and supports our strategic plan goal 3 — active learners, engaged, empowered critical thinkers. Way to make a difference, scholars!

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ITS scholar-interns earn Hewlett Packard certification

Congratulations to our Information Technology Services Department scholar-interns who have received industry standard Hewlett Packard (HP) Certification. This indicates they have a high-level knowledge in computer hardware and Windows-based operating systems. This is a valuable skillset our scholars can use in school and future jobs.

We would like to recognize the following students:

• Bogdan Gavrilyuk
• Janice Ku
• Grace Buchanan
• Grace Chong
• Benjamin Philipose
• Douglas Johnston
• Luqman Shibly
• Max Eager

We would also like to recognize Chief Technology Officer Paul Ross and other administrators. This effort is in support of strategic plan goal 4 — content area competence.